Method of and apparatus for packaging cylindrical articles

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus of packaging a cylindrical articles as defined in the preambles of claims 1 and 6. Especially the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for gathering an end of a wide packaging sheet wrapped around a cylindrical article and pressing the gathered end into a hollow region in the cylindrical article, and more particularly to a method of and an apparatus for packaging a cylindrical article such as a roll of photosensitive material or thermosensitive recording material, for example.

[0002] There have heretofore been proposed various packaging apparatus for wrapping a cylindrical article with a wide packaging sheet and gathering opposite ends of the packaging sheet. For details of known packaging apparatus of the type described above, reference should be made to Japanese utility model publication No. 2-1202, Japanese utility model publication No. 2-42564, and Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2-109817, considered in the preambles of claims 1 and 6.

[0003] The packaging apparatus disclosed in Japanese utility model publication No. 2-1202 and Japanese utility model publication No. 2-42564 use a packaging sheet whose opposite end dimensions are smaller than the radius of a cylindrical article to be packaged, and folds the ends of the packaging sheet along the ends of the cylindrical article. These publications are silent about an apparatus for using a packaging sheet whose opposite end dimensions are greater than the radius of a cylindrical article to be packaged, and gathering the opposite ends of the packaging sheet and forcing the gathered ends into a hollow region in the cylindrical article.

[0004] The packaging apparatus disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2-109817 use a packaging sheet whose opposite end dimensions are greater than the radius of a cylindrical article to be packaged, and gathers the ends of the packaging sheet. A suction pipe draws the packaging sheet when the suction pipe is positioned within a hollow region in the cylindrical article, so that an opening remains in the hollow region in the cylindrical article after the cylindrical article is packaged. In addition, the packaging sheet cannot strongly be gathered in the hollow region in the cylindrical article, and hence the hollow region in the cylindrical article cannot be sealed against entry of humidity, air, and light.

[0005] When photosensitive and thermosensitive recording materials are packaged, it is highly important to seal them particularly against entry of humidity and light.

[0006] It has been the customary practice to paste labels to the ends of or press plastic caps into the hollow regions in the packaged cylindrical articles for thereby sealing the hollow regions against entry of humidity and light.

[0007] The strength with which the ends of a packaging sheet are gathered is governed by the state of contact between a bent arm and a suction pipe which are used to gather the ends of the packaging sheet. However, since a rack and pinion mechanism is used to close the bent arm, a complex adjustment process is required to uniformize the contacting states of individual bent arms. Furthermore, since the thickness of the packaging sheet as it is gathered between the bent arm and the suction pipe progressively increases in the gathering process, the strength with which the ends of the packaging sheet are gathered is not stable.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for packaging a cylindrical article with a packaging sheet by reliably gathering opposite ends of the packaging sheet which are relatively long, and pressing the gathered ends into a hollow region in the cylindrical article to seal the hollow region in the cylindrical article against entry of humidity, air, and light without use of special members such as labels or plastic caps.

[0009] The above and other objects, features, and advantages are achieved by the features of claims 1 or 6. The subject of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the packaging apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the packaging apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a view illustrative of the manner in which an article to be packaged is placed on drive rollers;

FIG. 4B is a view illustrative of the manner in which a packaging sheet is tentatively fixed by first packaging sheet holders and starts being gathered;

FIG. 4C is a view illustrative of the manner in which a gathered end of the packaging sheet moves toward the article to be packaged as the end of the packaging sheet is progressively gathered;

FIG. 5A is a view illustrative of the manner in which the gathered end of the packaging sheet is held by second packaging sheet holders;

FIG. 5B is a view illustrative of the manner in which a pusher is moved toward the article to be packaged upon completion of the end gathering, and a core tube is moved away from the article to be packaged; and

FIG. 5C is a view illustrative of the manner in which the gathered end of the packaging sheet is pressed into a hollow region in the article.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] A method of and an apparatus for packaging a cylindrical article with a packaging sheet, as they are applied to a packaging apparatus for packaging a cylindrical roll of photosensitive or thermosensitive recording material (hereinafter referred to as an article) with a packaging sheet, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5C.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a packaging apparatus 10 gathers an end of a wide packaging sheet 14 wrapped around an article 12 and presses the gathered end into a hollow region 16 in the article 12. The packaging apparatus 10 comprises an actuating mechanism 20 for rotating the article 12 wrapped by the packaging sheet 14, a cylindrical presser 22 for pressing the gathered end into the hollow region 16 in the article 12, the cylindrical presser 22 having an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow region 16 in the article 12, a first reciprocating mechanism 24 for moving the presser 22 in directions toward and away from the article 12, a cylindrical core tube 26 mounted axially movably in and through a hollow region in the cylindrical presser 22, and a second reciprocating mechanism 28 for moving the core tube 26 in directions toward and away from the article 12. The presser 22 has a recess 30 defined in a distal end thereof for receiving a gathered end of the packaging sheet 14.

[0013] In the illustrated embodiment, the presser 22, the actuating mechanism 20, and other associated components are positioned on one side of the article 12. Actually, however, there are two sets of these components positioned respectively on both sides of the article 12 for gathering opposite ends of the packaging sheet 14 projecting from opposite ends of the article 12 and pressing the gathered opposite ends of the packaging sheet 14 into the hollow region 16 in the article 12.

[0014] The packaging apparatus 10 also has a plurality of (four in the illustrated embodiment) first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d arranged in a circular pattern concentric with the presser 22 and movable radially of the article 12, and a plurality of (two in the illustrated embodiment) second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b arranged in a circular pattern concentric with the presser 22 and disposed axially inwardly closer to the article 12 than the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d, the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b being movable radially of the article 12.

[0015] The actuating mechanism 20 comprises a motor 50 fixedly mounted on a base 44, a roller table 52 disposed in covering relation to the motor 50, two drive rollers 54a, 54b rotatably mounted on the roller table 52 and having respective axes substantially parallel to each other, the drive rollers 54a, 54b being rotatable in the same direction by the motor 50, and a roller 56 for pressing the article 12 placed on the drive rollers 54a, 54b downwardly and rotating the article 12 about its own axis.

[0016] The two drive rollers 54a, 54b can be rotated in the same direction by a belt 62 which is trained around respective shafts 58a, 58b of the drive rollers 54a, 54b and a shaft 60 of the motor 50. The roller 56 is suspended from a horizontal plate 66 of a substantially L-shaped support 64 which extends vertically along side of the roller table 52, and is positioned above the two drive rollers 54a. 54b. A third reciprocating mechanism 68 is disposed between the roller 56 and the horizontal plate 66. The third reciprocating mechanism 68 reciprocally moves vertically to move the roller 56 in directions toward and away from the article 12 placed on the two drive rollers 54a, 54b.

[0017] The presser 22, the core tube 26, and other components, except for the actuating mechanism 20, are mounted on a movable table 80, which is made of metal, for example, that is reciprocally movable on and along two rails 70a, 70b disposed on the base 44.

[0018] The movable table 80 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and includes a vertical attachment panel 84 which extends upwardly between the two rails 70a, 70b and has a central circular opening 82 defined therein, and a horizontal fixed panel 86 integrally formed with and extending backward from a lower end of the vertical attachment panel 84.

[0019] The movable table 80 is movable in directions toward and away from the actuating mechanism 20 by a fourth reciprocating mechanism 88 which is disposed on the base 44 centrally between the two rails 70a, 70b. Specifically, the fourth reciprocating mechanism 88 comprises an air cylinder 90 positioned on the base 44 centrally between the two rails 70a, 70b, and a piston rod 92 projecting from the air cylinder 90 in a direction toward the actuating mechanism 20. The fourth reciprocating mechanism 88 also has a tongue 94 extending downwardly from the fixed panel 86 and secured to the distal end of the piston rod 92.

[0020] When the piston rod 92 is reciprocally moved by the air cylinder 90, the movable table 80 moves in directions toward and away from the actuating mechanism 20 along the two rails 70a, 70b.

[0021] A prismatic support column 100 is vertically mounted on a rear central portion of the fixed panel 86. The first reciprocating mechanism 24 comprises a horizontal air cylinder 104 mounted on a support plate 102 which is disposed on an upper surface of the support column 100. The air cylinder 104 has a piston rod 106 extending horizontally in a direction toward the central opening 82 in the movable table 80.

[0022] A first attachment plate 108 is vertically fixed to a distal end of the piston rod 106. The presser 22 has an end fixed centrally to a vertical principal surface of the first attachment plate 108 which faces the central opening 82. The distal end of the piston rod 106 is fixed to a lower portion of another vertical principal surface of the first attachment plate 108 which faces away from the central opening 82. The presser 22 is fixed to the first attachment plate 108 in such a position that the axis of the presser 22 and the axis of the article 12 rotatably supported by the drive rollers 54a, 54b and the roller 56 are in substantial alignment with each other.

[0023] The second reciprocating mechanism 28 comprises a horizontal air cylinder 110 fixed to an upper portion of the other vertical principal surface of the first attachment plate 108. The air cylinder 110 has a piston rod 112 projecting backward in a direction away from the central opening 82.

[0024] A second attachment plate 114 is vertically fixed to a distal end of the piston rod 112. Specifically, the distal end of the piston rod 112 is fixed to a vertical principal surface of the second attachment plate 114, and the core tube 26 has a rear end which is also fixed to the same vertical principal surface of the second attachment plate 114. The core tube 26 is fixed to the second attachment plate 114 in such a position that the axis of the core tube 26 and the axis of the presser 22 are in substantial alignment with each other.

[0025] The four first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d and the two second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b are mounted on a vertical principal surface of the vertical attachment panel 84 which faces the actuating mechanism 20.

[0026] Specifically, first and second air cylinders 120a, 120b are directly fixed to the vertical principal surface of the attachment panel 84 in respective positions above and below the central opening 82 in the attachment plate 84. The first and second air cylinders 120a, 120b have respective piston rods 122a, 122b whose distal ends confront each other. First and second plates 124a (not shown), 124b are integrally mounted on the vertical principal surface of the attachment panel 84 in respective positions leftward and rightward of the central opening 82 in the attachment plate 84, the first and second plates 124a, 124b projecting horizontally toward the actuating mechanism 20. Third and fourth air cylinders 120c, 120d are fixedly mounted on respective upper surfaces of the first and second plates 124a, 124b closely to the attachment panel 84, the third and fourth air cylinders 120c, 120d having respective piston rods 122c, 122d whose distal ends confront each other.

[0027] Fifth and sixth air cylinders 120e, 120f are also fixedly mounted on the respective upper surfaces of the first and second plates 124a, 124b closely to their free ends and parallel to the third and fourth air cylinders 120c, 120d, the fifth and sixth air cylinders 120e, 120f having respective piston rods 122e, 122f whose distal ends confront each other.

[0028] The first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d are mounted on the piston rods 122a through 122d, respectively, of the first through fourth air cylinders 120a through 120d. The first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d are tapered toward their distal ends, and their distal ends are curved with a radius of curvature which is slightly greater than the radius of the presser 22. The second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b are mounted on the piston rods 122e, 122f, respectively, of the fifth and sixth air cylinders 120e, 120f. The second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b comprise arcuate members whose radius of curvature is slightly greater than the radius of the presser 22.

[0029] The packaging apparatus 10 is basically of the above structure. Operation and advantages of the packaging apparatus 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4A through 4C and FIGS. 5A through 5C.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4A, the article 12 wrapped by the wide packaging sheet 14 is placed on the two drive rollers 54a, 54b. At this time, a position to be occupied by the movable table 80 is determined depending on the width (height) of the article 12, and the movable table 80 is moved to the determined position by the fourth reciprocating mechanism 88.

[0031] Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first reciprocating mechanism 24 is actuated to move the presser 22 in a direction toward the article 12 until the distal end of the presser 22 reaches a position corresponding to an end of the packaging sheet 14. At the same time that the presser 22 is thus moved, the second reciprocating mechanism 28 is actuated to cause the distal end of the core tube 26 to project from the distal end of the presser 22.

[0032] Subsequently, the first through fourth air cylinders 120a through 120d are actuated to move the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d radially toward each other to press the end of the packaging sheet 14 to surround the distal end portion of the presser 22. At this time, the end of the packaging sheet 14 is tentatively secured in position.

[0033] The third reciprocating mechanism 68 is actuated to lower the roller 56 to press the article 12 on the drive rollers 54a, 54b downwardly. The motor 50 is energized to rotate the drive rollers 54a, 54b in one direction about their axes. The article 12 wrapped by the wide packaging sheet 14 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction in which the drive rollers 54a, 54b are rotating.

[0034] When the packaging sheet 14 rotates together with the article 12, as shown in FIG. 4C, the end of the packaging sheet 14 is gathered and squeezed so as to be coiled around the core tube 26. At the same time, the end of the packaging sheet 14 is displaced progressively toward the end of the article 12.

[0035] Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, before the end of the packaging sheet 14 is separated from the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d, the fifth and sixth air cylinders 120e, 120f are actuated to move the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b toward each other to grip the end of the packaging sheet 14 which has been coiled around the core tube 26. As a result, the packaging sheet 14 can continuously be gathered and squeezed after the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is disengaged from the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d.

[0036] When the packaging sheet 14 is sufficiently gathered and squeezed, as shown in FIG. 5B, the core tube 26 is moved away from the article 12 by the second reciprocating mechanism 28, and the presser 22 is moved toward the article 12 by the first reciprocating mechanism 24. At this time, air in the hollow region 16 in the article 12 is drawn through the core tube 26.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5C, the movement of the presser 22 toward the article 12 presses the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 into the hollow region 16 in the article 12. Since the recess 30 (see FIG. 1) is defined in the distal end of the presser 22 for receiving the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14, the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is reliably pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 without the danger of being released and spread radially outwardly.

[0038] As described above, the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b comprise arcuate members whose radius of curvature is slightly greater than the radius of the presser 22. Therefore, when the presser 22 moves, the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b serve to guide the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 toward and into the hollow region 16 in the article 12, so that the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 can reliably be pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12.

[0039] After the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12, the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d are moved radially outwardly away from each other by the first through fourth air cylinders 120a through 120d, and the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b are moved radially outwardly away from each other by the fifth and sixth air cylinders 120e, 120f, until the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d and the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b return to their initial positions. Subsequently, the first reciprocating mechanism 24 is actuated to move the presser 22 away from the article 12 to the initial position shown in FIG. 4A.

[0040] As described above, when the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 by the presser 22, the core tube 26 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction in which the presser 22 moves, and withdrawn from the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14. Therefore, no hole remains centrally in the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 due to the core tube 26, and the article 12, particularly the hollow region 16 therein, is securely sealed against humidity and air.

[0041] The presser 22 which is pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 has its outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow region 16 in the article 12, and its inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the core tube 26. Consequently, it is possible to press the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 with the presser 22, and to move the core tube 22 through the bore in the presser 22 toward and away from the hollow region 16 in the article 12. As a result, the core tube 26 can easily be withdrawn before the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is fully pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12.

[0042] At the time of coiling the end of the packaging sheet 14 around the core tube 26, as the end of the packaging sheet 14 is gathered and squeezed around the distal end portion of the core tube 26, the end of the packaging sheet 14 which has tentatively been secured in position on the distal end portion of the core tube 26 by the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d is progressively pulled toward the article 12 as the end of the packaging sheet 14 is gathered and squeezed, until finally the end of the packaging sheet 14 is disengaged from the distal end portion of the presser 22.

[0043] In a next stage, the distal end portion of the core tube 26 around which the packaging sheet 14 is coiled is held by the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b. Therefore, the packaging sheet 14 can continuously be gathered and squeezed after the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is disengaged from the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d.

[0044] Inasmuch as the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b can guide the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 toward and into the hollow region 16 in the article 12, the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 can reliably be pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12.

[0045] Because the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 while the article 12 is rotating, the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is further twisted and coiled in the hollow region 16. Accordingly, the packaging sheet 14 is effective to seal the hollow region 16 against entry of humidity, air, and light.

[0046] Furthermore, at the same time that the presser 22 is moved toward the article 12 which is rotating, the core tube 26 is moved away from the article 12. Consequently, any significant hole is effectively prevented from remaining centrally in the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 on account of the core tube 26.

[0047] Moreover, air in the hollow region 16 in the article 12 is drawn through the core tube 26 while the end of the packaging sheet 14 is being gathered. Generally, when the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12, if the pressure in the hollow region 16 is high and the width of the article 12 is small, then problems arise in that it becomes difficult to press the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 with the presser 22, and the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 which has been pressed into the hollow region 16 in the article 12 tends to be forced out. According to the present invention, however, since air in the hollow region 16 in the article 12 is drawn through the core tube 26, such problems can be obviated.

[0048] The presser 22, the core tube 26, the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d, and the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b are installed on the movable table 80, which can be moved toward and away from the article 12 by the fourth reciprocating mechanism 88. Accordingly, articles 12 having different widths (heights) can easily be handled simply by changing the position of the movable table 80.

[0049] The first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d are movable toward and away from each other by the first through fourth air cylinders 120a through 120d, and the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b are movable toward and away from each other by the fifth and sixth air cylinders 120e, 120f, When the thickness and frictional resistance of the packaging sheet 14 are changed, such changes can easily be coped with by changing forces with which the gathered end of the packaging sheet 14 is held by the first packaging sheet holders 40a through 40d and the second packaging sheet holders 42a, 42b.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the article 12 is rotated by the drive rollers 54a, 54b. However, the article 12 may be rotated by a wrapper belt rather than the drive rollers 54a, 54b.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is applied to the packaging apparatus which packages a roll of photosensitive material or thermosensitive recording material that has tentatively been packaged. However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to the packaging of all cylindrical articles which need to be sealed against entry of humidity, air, and light.

[0052] Although a certain preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of packaging a cylindrical article (12) having a hollow region (16) therein, comprising the steps of:

gathering around a core tube (26) an end of wide packaging sheet (14) wrapped around the cylindrical article (12); and

placing the gathered end into the hollow region (16) in the cylindrical article (12);

characterised in that
the gathered end is pressed into the hollow region (16) in the cylindrical article (12); and
the core tube (26) used to gather the end of the packaging sheet (14) is withdrawn from the gathered end of the packaging sheet (14) before the gathered end is fully pressed into said hollow region (16, while during the withdrawal of the core (26) air in the hollow region (16) in the article is drawn through the core tube (26).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the gathered end is pressed into the hollow region (16) in the cylindrical article (12) by a presser (22) having an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of said hollow region (16) and an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said core tube (26).

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

(a) moving a distal end of said presser (22) to a position corresponding to an end of said packaging sheet (14) while the packaging sheet (14) is wrapped around said cylindrical article (12);

(b) tentatively holding the distal end of said presser (22) with first packaging sheet holders (40a - 40d) while covering the distal end of said presser (22) with the end of said packaging sheet (14), with said core tube (26) having a distal end portion projecting from the distal end of said presser (22), and coiling and gathering the end of said packaging sheet (14) on the distal end portion of said core tube (26);

(c) holding the distal end portion of said core tube (26) on which said packaging sheet (14) is coiled, with second packaging sheet holders (42a, 42b); and

(d) when said packaging sheet (14) is fully gathered on said core tube (26), moving said presser (22) toward the cylindrical article (12) which is rotating, to press the gathered end of said packaging sheet (14) into the hollow region (16) in said cylindrical article (12);

said step (d) comprising the step of withdrawing said core tube (26) from said hollow region (16) before the gathered end of said packaging sheet (14) is fully pressed into said hollow region (16).

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said step (d) comprises the step of moving said core tube (26) away from said cylindrical article (12) at the same time that said presser (22) is moved toward the cylindrical article (12) which is rotating.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of drawing air from said hollow region (16) through said core tube (26) while the end of said packaging sheet (14) is being gathered.

6. An apparatus for packaging a cylindrical article (12) having a hollow region (16) therein by gathering around a core tube (26) an end of a wide packaging sheet (14) wrapped around the cylindrical article (12), and placing the gathered end into the hollow region (16) in the cylindrical article (12),
characterised in that
an actuating mechanism (20) for rotating the cylindrical article (12) wrapped by said packaging sheet (14);
a presser (22) for pressing the gathered end of said packaging sheet (14) into the hollow region (16) in said cylindrical article (12), said presser (22) having an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of said hollow region (16), said presser (22) being disposed coaxially with said cylindrical article (12) and axially movable back and forth;
with the core tube (26) being fitted in said presser (22) and axially movable back and forth;
core tube moving means (28) for withdrawing said core tube (26) from the gathered end of the packaging sheet (14) before the gathered end of said packaging sheet (14) is fully pressed into said hollow region (16) by said presser (22); and
means for allowing air in the hollow region (16) in the article to be drawn through the core tube (26) during the withdrawal of the core tube (26).

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of first packaging sheet holders (40a - 40d) arranged in a circular pattern concentric with said presser (22) and movable radially of said cylindrical article (12); and

a plurality of second packaging sheet holders (42a, 42b) arranged in a circular pattern concentric with said presser (22) and disposed axially inwardly closer to said cylindrical article (12) than said first packaging sheet holders (40a - 40d), said second packaging sheet holders (42a, 42b) being movable radially of said cylindrical article (12).

8. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a reciprocating mechanism (24) for moving said presser (22) toward and away from said cylindrical article (12).

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said presser (22) has a recess (30) defined in a distal end thereof for receiving the gathered end of said packaging sheet (14).

10. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said actuating mechanism (20) comprises:

a base (44);

a motor (50) fixedly mounted on said base (44);

a roller table (52) disposed in covering relation to said motor (50);

two drive rollers (54a, 54b) rotatably mounted on said roller table (52) and having respective axes substantially parallel to each other, said drive rollers (54a, 54b) being rotatable in the same direction by said motor (50); and

a roller (56) for pressing the cylindrical article (12) placed on said drive rollers (54a, 54b) downwardly and rotating the cylindrical article (12) about its own axis.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Verpacken eines zylindrischen Artikels (12), der im Inneren mit einem hohlen Bereich (16) versehen ist, wobei
um ein Kernrohr (26) ein Ende eines breiten Verpackungsbogens (14) herumgefaltet wird, der um den zylindrischen Artikel (12) herumgeschlagen ist, und
das in Falten gelegte Ende in den hohlen Bereich (16) im zylindrischen Artikel (12) angeordnet wird;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das in Falten gelegte Ende in den hohlen Bereich (16) im zylindrischen Artikel (12) gepresst wird und das Kernrohr (26), das verwendet wurde, um das Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) in Falten zu legen, vom in Falten gelegten Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) abgezogen wird, bevor das in Falten gelegte Ende vollständig in den hohlen Bereich gepresst wurde, wobei während des Abziehens des Kerns (26) Luft im hohlen Bereich (16) im Artikel durch das Kernrohr (26) abgezogen wird.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei das in Falten gelegte Ende in den hohlen Bereich (16) im zylindrischen Artikel (12) durch eine Presseinrichtung (22) eingepresst wird, die einen äußeren Durchmesser aufweist, der kleiner ist als der Durchmesser des hohlen Bereichs (16), und die einen inneren Durchmesser aufweist, der größer ist als der äußere Durchmesser des Kernrohrs (26).

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei ferner:

(a) ein distales Ende der Presseinrichtung (22) in eine Position bewegt wird, die einem Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) entspricht, während der Verpackungsbogen (14) um den zylindrischen Artikel (12) herumgeschlagen wird;

(b) das distale Ende der Presseinrichtung (22) vorläufig mit ersten Verpackungsbogenhaltern (40a - 40d) festgehalten wird, während das distale Ende der Presseinrichtung (22) mit dem Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) bedeckt wird, wobei das Kernrohr (26) mit seinem distalen Endbereich aus dem distalen Ende der Presseinrichtung (22) vorsteht, und das Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) am distalen Endbereich des Kernrohrs (26) aufgewickelt und in Falten gelegt wird;

(c) der distale Endbereich des Kernrohrs (26), auf dem der Verpackungsbogen (14) aufgewickelt ist, mit zweiten Verpackungsbogenhaltern (42a, 42b) gehalten wird; und

(d) die Presseinrichtung (22) in Richtung auf den zylindrischen Artikel (12), der sich dreht, bewegt wird, wenn der Verpackungsbogen (14) vollständig auf dem Kernrohr (26) in Falten gelegt ist, um das in Falten gelegte Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) in den hohlen Bereich (16) im zylindrischen Artikel (12) hineinzupressen;

wobei der Verfahrensschritt (d) den Verfahrensschritt des Abziehens des Kernrohrs (26) aus dem hohlen Bereich (16) umfasst, bevor das in Falten gelegte Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) vollständig in den hohlen Bereich (16) gepresst ist.

4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Verfahrensschritt in (d) das Bewegen des Kernrohrs (26) vom zylindrischen Artikel (12) umfasst, zur gleichen Zeit in der die Presseinrichtung (22) in Richtung auf den zylindrischen Artikel (12), der sich dreht, bewegt wird.

5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei ferner Luft aus dem hohlen Bereich (16) durch das Kernrohr (26) abgezogen wird, während das Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) in Falten gelegt wird.

6. Vorrichtung zum Verpacken eines zylindrischen Artikels (12) mit einem darin vorgesehenen hohlen Bereich (16), durch Faltung eines Endes eines breiten Verpackungsbogens (14), der um den zylindrischen Artikel (12) herumgewickelt ist, um ein Kernrohr (26), und durch Anordnen des in Falten gelegten Endes im hohlen Bereich (16) im zylindrischen Artikel (12),
gekennzeichnet durch
einen Betätigungsmechanismus (20) zum Drehen des zylindrischen Artikels (12), der durch den Verpackungsbogen (14) eingewickelt ist;
einer Presseinrichtung (22) zum Pressen des in Falten gelegten Endes des Verpackungsbogens (14) in den hohlen Bereich (16) im zylindrischen Artikel (12), wobei die Presseinrichtung (22) einen Außendurchmesser aufweist, der kleiner ist als der Durchmesser des hohlen Bereichs (16), wobei die Presseinrichtung koaxial mit dem zylindrischen Artikel (12) angeordnet und axial hin und zurück bewegbar ist;
wobei das Kernrohr (26) in die Presseinrichtung (22) eingepasst und axial hin und zurück bewegbar ist;
einer Bewegungseinrichtung (28) für das Kernrohr zum Abziehen des Kernrohrs (26) vom in Falten gelegten Ende des Verpackungsbogens (16), bevor das in Falten gelegte Ende des Verpackungsbogens (14) durch die Presseinrichtung (22) vollständig in den hohlen Bereich (16) eingepresst ist; und
eine Einrichtung, die es gestattet, dass Luft im hohlen Bereich (16) im Artikel durch das Kernrohr (26) während des Abziehens des Kernrohrs (26) gezogen wird.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, ferner enthaltend:

eine Vielzahl erster Verpackungsbogenhalter (40a bis 40d), die in einem kreisförmigen Muster konzentrisch mit der Presseinrichtung (22) angeordnet und radial zum zylindrischen Artikel (12) bewegbar sind; und

eine Vielzahl zweiter Verpackungsbogenhalter (42a, 42b), die in einem kreisförmigen Muster konzentrisch mit der Presseinrichtung (22) angeordnet und in Axialrichtung einwärts enger am zylindrischen Artikel (12) vorgesehen sind als die ersten Verpackungsbogenhalter (40a bis 40d), wobei die zweiten Verpackungsbogenhalter (42a, 42b) radial bezüglich des zylindrischen Artikels (12) bewegbar sind.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, ferner enthaltend:

einen Bewegungsumkehrmechanismus (24) zum Bewegen der Presseinrichtung (22) in Richtung auf den zylindrischen Artikel (12) und von ihm weg.

9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Presseinrichtung (22) eine Ausnehmung (30) aufweist, die an ihrem distalen Ende zum Aufnehmen des in Falten gelegten Endes des Verpackungsbogens (14) vorgesehen ist.

10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Betätigungsmechanismus (20) umfasst:

eine Basis (24);

einen Motor (50), der fest auf der Basis (44) montiert ist;

einen Rollentisch (52), der in Überdeckungsbeziehung mit dem Motor (50) angeordnet ist;

zwei Antriebsrollen (54a, 54b), die drehbar auf dem Rollentisch (52) montiert sind und mit ihren jeweiligen Achsen im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander angeordnet sind, wobei die Antriebsrollen (54a, 54b) durch den Motor (50) in der gleichen Richtung drehbar sind; und

eine Rolle (56) zum Pressen des zylindrischen Artikels (12), der auf den Antriebsrollen (54a, 54b) platziert ist, nach unten und zum Drehen des zylindrischen Artikels (12) um seine eigene Achse.

Revendications

1. Procédé d'emballage pour article cylindrique (12) possédant, en lui, une région creuse (16), qui comprend les opérations suivantes :

rassembler autour d'un tube formant mandrin (26) une extrémité d'une feuille d'emballage large (14) enroulée autour de l'article cylindrique (12) ; et

placer les extrémités ainsi rassemblées dans la région creuse (16) de l'article cylindrique (12) ;

caractérisé en ce que :

on presse, dans la région creuse (16) de l'article cylindrique (12), l'extrémité rassemblée ; et

on retire, de l'extrémité rassemblée de la feuille d'emballage (14), le tube mandrin (26) utilisé pour rassembler l'extrémité de la feuille d'emballage (14) avant que l'extrémité rassemblée n'ait été complètement pressée dans ladite région creuse (16), tandis que, pendant le retrait du mandrin (26), on aspire, par l'intermédiaire du tube mandrin (26), l'air se trouvant dans la région creuse (16) de l'article.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on presse, dans la région creuse (16) de l'article cylindrique (12), l'extrémité rassemblée au moyen d'un poussoir (22) ayant un diamètre externe qui est inférieur au diamètre de ladite région creuse (16) et un diamètre interne qui est plus grand que le diamètre externe dudit tube mandrin (26).

3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre les opérations suivantes :

(a) déplacer l'extrémité distale dudit poussoir (22) jusqu'à une position correspondant à une extrémité de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) tandis que la feuille d'emballage (14) s'enroule autour dudit article cylindrique (12) ;

(b) maintenir de façon expérimentale l'extrémité distale dudit poussoir (22) avec des premiers supports de feuille d'emballage (40a-40d) tout en couvrant l'extrémité distale dudit poussoir (22) avec l'extrémité de ladite feuille d'emballage (14), ledit tube mandrin (26) ayant une partie d'extrémité distale qui fait saillie de l'extrémité distale dudit poussoir (22), et enrouler et rassembler l'extrémité de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) sur la partie d'extrémité distale dudit tube mandrin (26) ;

(c) maintenir la partie d'extrémité distale dudit tube mandrin (26), sur laquelle ladite feuille d'emballage (14) est enroulée, avec des deuxièmes supports de feuille d'emballage (42a, 42b) ; et

(d) lorsque ladite feuille d'emballage (14) a été complètement rassemblée sur ledit tube mandrin (26), déplacer ledit poussoir (22) en direction de l'article cylindrique (12) qui est en train de tourner, afin de presser l'extrémité rassemblée de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) jusque dans la région creuse (16) dudit article cylindrique (12) ;
ladite opération (d) comprenant l'opération qui consiste à retirer de ladite région creuse (16) ledit tube mandrin avant que l'extrémité rassemblée de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) n'ait été complètement pressée jusque dans ladite région creuse (16).

4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, où ladite opération (d) comprend l'opération qui consiste à déplacer ledit tube mandrin (26) afin de l'écarter de l'article cylindrique (12) en même temps que ledit poussoir (22) se déplace vers l'article cylindrique (12) qui est en train de tourner.

5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre l'opération qui consiste à aspirer l'air de ladite région creuse (16) par l'intermédiaire dudit tube mandrin (26) tandis que l'extrémité de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) est en train d'être rassemblée.

6. Appareil d'emballage pour article cylindrique (12) possédant en lui une région creuse (16) par rassemblement, autour d'un tube formant mandrin (26), une extrémité d'une feuille d'emballage large (14) enroulée autour de l'article cylindrique (12), et par placement de l'extrémité ainsi rassemblée jusque dans la région creuse (16) de l'article cylindrique (12),
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :

un mécanisme d'actionnement (20) servant à faire tourner l'article cylindrique (12) enroulé dans ladite feuille d'emballage (14) ;

un poussoir (22) servant à presser l'extrémité rassemblée de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) jusque dans la région creuse (16) dudit article cylindrique (12), ledit poussoir (22) ayant un diamètre extérieur qui est plus petit que le diamètre de ladite région creuse (16), ledit poussoir étant disposé coaxialement par rapport audit article cylindrique (12) et étant axialement mobile vers l'arrière et vers l'avant ;

le tube mandrin (26) étant ajusté dans ledit poussoir (22) et étant axialement mobile vers l'arrière et vers l'avant ;

un moyen (28) de déplacement de tube mandrin servant à retirer ledit tube mandrin (26) de l'extrémité rassemblée de la feuille d'emballage (14) avant que l'extrémité rassemblée de ladite feuille d'emballage (14) n'ait été complètement pressée jusque dans ladite région creuse (16) par ledit poussoir (22) ; et

un moyen permettant que l'air se trouvant dans la région creuse (16) de l'article soit aspiré par l'intermédiaire du tube mandrin (26) pendant le retrait du tube mandrin (26).

7. Appareil selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre :

une pluralité de premiers supports de feuille d'emballage (40a-40d) disposés suivant un motif circulaire concentrique par rapport audit poussoir (22) et mobile radialement par rapport audit article cylindrique (12) ; et

une pluralité de deuxièmes supports de feuille d'emballage (42a, 42b) disposés suivant un motif circulaire concentrique par rapport audit poussoir (22) et disposés axialement vers l'intérieur de manière à être plus prêts dudit article cylindrique (12) que lesdits premiers supports de feuille d'emballage (40a-40d), lesdits deuxièmes supports de feuille d'emballage (42a, 42b) étant mobiles radialement par rapport audit article cylindrique (12).

8. Appareil selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre :

un mécanisme à mouvement d'aller et retour (24) servant à déplacer ledit poussoir (22) pour l'approcher et le reculer dudit article cylindrique (12).

9. Appareil selon la revendication 6, où ledit poussoir (22) possède un évidement (30) défini dans son extrémité distale et servant à recevoir l'extrémité rassemblée de ladite feuille d'emballage (14).

10. Appareil selon la revendication 6, où ledit mécanisme d'actionnement (20) comprend :

une base (44) ;

un moteur (50) monté de manière fixe sur ladite base (44);

une table à rouleaux (52) disposée en relation de recouvrement par rapport audit moteur (50) ;

deux rouleaux d'entraînement (54a, 54b) montés rotatifs sur ladite table à rouleaux (52) et possédant des axes respectifs qui sont sensiblement parallèles entre eux, lesdits rouleaux d'entraînement (54a, 54b) pouvant tourner dans le même sens sous l'action dudit moteur (50); et

un rouleau (56) servant à presser l'article cylindrique (12) placé sur lesdits rouleaux d'entraînement (54a, 54b) vers le bas et à faire tourner ledit article cylindrique (12) sur son propre axe.

Drawing